Train indicating apparatus



Sept. 1, 1931. E. M. ALLEN TRAIN INDICATING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 26. 1930 In s INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 1, 1931 UNIVTEDASTATES PATENroFFic EARL M. ALLEN, SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TOTI-IE UNION SWITCH &

SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENN SYL- VANIA v p TRAIN INDICATING APPARATUS Application filed September 26, 1930, Serial No. 484,563.

My invention relates to train indicating apparatus and has for an object the provision, in combination with a series of track sections, of novel and improved means for 3 indicating at a remote point, such as a despatchers oflice the passage of trains through such sections.

I will describe one form of apparatus embodying my invention, and will then point 1 out the novel features thereof in claims.

The accompanying drawing is a diagrammatic View showing one form of apparatus I V gized by virtue of two pick-up circuits. The

embodying my invention.

Referring to the drawing, the reference 15 character Z designates a stretch of railway track which is divided by the usual insulated .joints to form three successive sections A A and A Located inthe section A is a switch Q leading into a side track Z Traffic through the switch Q is controlled by the usual signals 8, S S and 8*, which signals are controlled by a signal relay D, and by a circuit controller U operatively connected with the switch Q. The circuits for the control ofrelay D, and the circuits for the control of the signals S, form no part, of my present invention, it being suflicient to point out that when the relay 7D is energized in such direction that its polarizedarmature is swung to the left, one of the signalsS or S will be cleared accordingas the switch Q is in the normal or the reverse posit-ion, and that when the relay D is energized in such direction that its polarized armature is swung to the right, one of the signals S or S will be cleared according as the switch Q Y is in the normal or the reverse position.

Each track section A A and A is pro-i vided with a track circuit comprising a track battery 2, and a track relay designated by the reference character T with a distinguishing exponent. relays and with the signal relay D, is a slowreleasing directional relay K, the control and purpose of whichwill be explainedhereinafter. a j A Located at, a remote point, such as a de patchers oflice, is a group of indicator lamps L L3 andL corresponding to the tracksec- 1 tions A, A and A respectively. These Associated with these track I lamps are controlled by indicator relays G C and G I Relay C 'is a repeater for track Irelay T the circuitbeing from terminal IQ of a suitable source of current, through front contact13 of relay T line wire 28, v and the windingof relay G to terminal 0. Indicator relays O and C are of a slowreleasing type, and are controlled by a polar relay E, which relay is in-turn controlled by 'the track relays and by the directionalrelay K.

The directional relay K is normally enerafter, the indicator lamps L are controlled in such manner that, under the conditions just set forth, all of these lamps are extinguished. V

' I will first assume that a train moving toyvard the right enters section A This will open track relay T thereby closing a circuit for polar relay E, which circuit is from positiveterminal N' of a battery B,

, through thejback point of contact 3 of relay i T front point of contact 4 of relay K line wire 5, winding of relay and linewire'6 to the middle point of battery B.. The current. which is thus supplied to relayE is of u ,what I will term normal? polarity, and the effect of this current is to energize relay E suchtdirectio n that its polar contacts 16 and, 18.. are'swung to the left Indicator relay C will then become energized, the

circuit being from terminal X, through neutral contact15 of relay E, polar contact 16, and the winding of relay, C to. terminal Indicator lamp L will then become 3! lighted by virtue vof a circuit which includes front contactl2 f of relay C and which circuit will 'be obvious from the drawing. VVhenthe front end of the train enters sectionrA track relay T fwill, open, thereby opening indicator relay C cause lamp L to become lighted by virtue of a circuit which includes back contact 28 of relay C Then the rear end of the train passes out of the section A track relay T will close, thereby opening the circuit'for polar relay E, so that the pick-up circuit for relay C will be opened at neutral contact 15, with the result that relay C will open 7 O of battery B. This will cause relay E to become energized in such direction that its polar contacts will be swung to the right. Indicator relay C will then become energized by virtue of a pick-up circuit which passes from terminal X, through neutral contact 17 of relay E, polar contact 18, and the winding of relay C to terminal 0. Indicator lamp L will then become lighted by virtue of a circuit which includes front contact 25 of relay C and which circuit will be obvious from the drawing. hen the rear end of the train passes out of the section A track relay T will close, thereby energizing indicator relay G with the result that inclicator lamp L will become extinguished. Vhen the train passes out of section A track relay T will become closed, so that the circuit for relay E will be opened, and relay C will become deenergized to extinguish the lamp L Underthe conditions described in the last paragraph, the directional relay K will not become deenergized, because one or the other of its pick-up circuits will be closed at all times; that is to say, either track relay T or T will be closed to close one pick-up circuit or the other.

I will now assume as before, that a train 'moving toward the right passes along the track Z, but that this train is long enough to bridge section A so that the front end of the train will enter section A before the rearvend leaves section A Under this condition both track relays T and T will be opened at the same time, so that both pickup circuits for relay K will be simultaneously open. The stick circuit for this relay includes contact 11 of signal relay D, and this contact will be open when either signal S or S is cleared to permit a train moving toward the right to pass through the switch Q. When this train enters section A}, it will open track relay T thereby energizing ward the'left enters section A and this will relay E in the normal direction to close the pick-up circuit for relay C hen the train enters section A it will open track relay T and this will open indicator relaV C both be lighted; When the front end of the train, which we have assumed to be long enough to bridge section A enters section A it will open track relay" T andthis will resultin the opening of relay K. Current 7 of reverse polarity will then be supplied to relay E, the circuit being from terminal R of battery B, through the back point of contact l of relay K, wire 5, winding of relay E, and wire 6 to terminal 0 of battery B.

This will result in closing the pick-up circuit for relay C and opening the pick-up circuit for relay C so that indicator lamp L will become extinguished and lamp L will become lighted. \Vh'en the rear end of the train passes out of the section A, track relay T will close, thereby closing relay K, but relay E will continue to be energized in the reverse direction, because the back contact 7 of track relay T is closed. \Vhen'l the rear end of the train passes out of the section A track relay T will close, thereby closing relay C and extinguishing lamp L lVhen the train passes out of the section A track relay T will close, and the apparatus will be restored to its normal condition. I

I will now assume that a train moving to- This will open track relay T, thereby supplying current of reverse polarity to relay E, so that IO lamp L willbecome lighted. hen the train enters section A it will open track relay T and this will open relay C to light the lamp If. If the train is not long enough to bridge section A then when the front '1 end enters section A the rear end will have left section A so that relay K will remain energized. The opening of relay T will supply current of normal polarity to relay E, thereby energizing relay C to light lamp L When the trainv leaves section A lamp L will become extinguished, and when the train leaves section A lamp L will become extinguished.

toward the left is long enough to bridge section A In order topermit this train to pass through the switch Q, relay D will be energized in such direction that its polar contact 11' will be'closed. \Vhen the train 20 enters section A the opening of track relay T will energize relay E in the reverse direction to energize relay C and so as to light lamp L When the train enters section A the opening of track relay T 2 will cause in contact 10 of track relay T contact 11 ofl ifl Indicator lamps L and L will then 70 I will. now assume that a train moving normal indicator lamp L ficient period of time after the opening of thereby. causing relay to relay E, contact 15,,as well as it :will open track relay T, but thiswill not open relay K, because ofthestick circuit whichv has just been traced. Current of polarity will thenbe supplied to relay E through the back point-of contact 3 of track relay T and the front point of contact 4 ofrelay-K, with the result that relay C will become i open to extinguish lamp Liand relay 0 will become energized to light lamp L. When the rear end of the train leaves section A lamp L will become extinguished, and when the train leaves section A lamp L will vbecome extinguished.

I will'now assume that a train moving toward the left enters section A thereby energizing relay E in thereverse direction which then causes relay C to become energized, andth at while this train occupies section A? a second train moving toward the rightenters'section A The stick circuit for relay K is already open at back contact of track relay T since section A is unoccupied, and the pick-up circuit for relay K through contact 9 of'relay T is already open on account of the train in section A On account of the train now entering section A the other pick-up circuit for relay K becomes opened atcontact 8 ofrelay T and hence relay K becomes deenergized. Relay K being of a slow-releasing type does not, however, at once open its contacts 12 and 4. 1 Meanwhile, relay E'becomes energized'in the normal direction by its circuit including the backpoint of contact?) of relay T and the front point of contact 4 of relay K. Upon this reversal of polarity of current supplied to relay E, contact 17, as well as contacts 15 and 26, of relay E'open, polar contact. 18 of relay Eis then swung to the'left andcontact 17 then again closes. Relay C being of a slow-releasing type does not open its contacts 22' and during this open period of contact 17 of-relay E. lVhen contact 17 closes-after contact 18 has been swung to the left, relayJC isenergized by a stick circuit which passes from terminal :0, through contactl7, ofrelay E, contact 18 of relay E inits left position, front contact 21 of relay G front contact 22 of relay C and the winding of relay C to terminal 0. lVith relay Eenergized in the normal direction, relay G has become energized to light the Upon the lapse of a sufcontact 8 of'relay T relay K opens its front contacts and closes contact 4 at its back point E to be again energized. in the reverse direction. reversal of polarity of thecurrent supplied contacts 17 and 26, of relay E opens, polar contact 16is then swung to its position toward the right.

presence of the trainin be lighted.

Upon this and contact 15 then again closes; Relay C a being of a slow-releasing type does not open its front contacts during this open period of contact 15. Upon the closing of contact 15 after contact 16 has been swung position, relay C becomes energized by a stick-"circuit passing from 1 terminal 6B.

through contact 15 ofrelay E,"contact 16 of relay E in the rightposition, front contact 19 of relay C frontcontact 20 of relay C and the winding of relay C It follows that lamp L has remained lighted to indicate the presence of a train in section A and that-lamp L now also remains lighted to indicate the presenceof a train in section A The subsequent'operation of the indicator lamps will depend upon the movements of the two trains. If the train in section A proceeds into section A track 'relay T will open, therebyopening relay. G 1 an d thus opening vthe stick circuit for relay C so that lamp L will become lighted and lamp L will be extinguished. r

Finally, I will assume that section A is occupied by a train, and that a second train enters: section A Relay E will be'energizecl in the normal direction, due to the section A so that relay C 'willbeenergized andlamp L will section A the opening of track relay T will deenergize relay K, so that current: of reverse polarity will be supplied to relay E. The stick circuit for relay C will then become closed, and relay C will, therefore,

remain energized to'keep lamp L lighted, whereas relay C will also become energized to light lamp L The lamps will, consequently, indicate the ',presence of the two trains in sections A and A respectively.

Each time that relay E becomes energized,

an annunciator bell F will be energized, the

circuit being from terminal X, through front contact 26 of relay E, back point of contact 27 of a relay G, and the bell F to terminal O. ,The'despatcher may stop' the operation of the bell by closing ap'ush button H, thereby closing the pick-up circuit for relay G, which circuitwill-be obvious from the drawing. Relay.G will then remain energized as lon g as relay E is energized, this being due to a stick circuit which includes front contact 26 of relay E, and the front point of contact 27 of relay G. \Vh'en relay E becomes deenergized, the stick circuit for relay- Giwill be opened, so that the apparatus is again ready for the opera-,

tion of bell F when relay E again becomes energized. I n

It willv be seen fronrthe foregoing that apparatus 1 embodying my invention provides for the. continuous indication of the presence and absence, of trainsinthree sueto its right to terminal .0.

"When the secoud'train enters cessiye sections of track, and that this is J30 said sections is occupied by a train,

accomplished b only three wires between thetrack and tie despatchers office.

Although ,I have herein shown and described only one form of apparatus embod ing my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of: the ap pended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my what I claim is:

1.I-n combination, three sections of railway track, a polar relay, means for energizing said relay in one direction or the other according as the first or the third of said sections is occupied by a train, an indicator for each of said sections, means for invention,

energizingthe indicator for the first or the third section according as said relay is energized in one direction or the other, and means for energizing the indicator for the second section when the second section is occupied.

2'. In combination, railway track, a polar relay,

two spaced sections of means for energizing said relay in normal or reverse direction according as one or the other of said sections is occupied by a train, two slow-releasing indicator relays, a pick-up circuit for one indicator relay including a normal contact of said polar relay, a stick circuit for said one indicator relay including a reverse contact of said polar relay, a pick-up circuit for the other indicator relay including a reverse contactof said polar relay, a stick circuit for said other indicator relay including a normal contact of said polar relay, and indicators for said track sections controlled by said indicator relays.

3. In combination, three sections of railway track, a polar relay, means for energizingsaid relay in normal or reverse direction according as the first or the third of a first and a third slow-release indicator relay, a pick-up circuit for the first indicator relay including a normal contact of said polar relay, a pick-up circuit for the third indicator relay including a reverse contact of said polar relay, a second indicator relay for the second. of said sections, means for energizing or deenergizing said second indicator relay according as said second section is unoccupied or occupied, a stick circuit for said first indicator relay including a reverse contact of said polar relay and a front contact of said second indicator relay, a stick circuit for said third indicator relay ineluding a normal contact of said polar relay and a front contact of said second indicator relay, and imlicators for said track sections controlled by said indicator relays.

4. In combination, three sections of railway track, a track circuit including a track relay for eachsection, a directional relay,

means for energizing said directional relay when either the first or the third track relay is closed, a stick circuit for said d1rectional relay closed only when the second relay for each section, a directional relay,

means for energizing said directional relay when either the first orthe third track relay is closed, a stick circuit for said directional relay closed only when the second and third'track relays are open and traffic is established for train movements from the third section toward the first, a polar relay, means for energizing said polar relay in normal. or reverse direction according as said first or third track relay isopen, pro-. vided said directional relay is closed and or energizing the polar relay in reverse direction when the directional relayis open, two slow-releasing indicator relays, a pickup circuit for one indicator relay including a normal contact of said polar relay, a stick circuit for said one indicator relay including a reverse contact of said polar relay, a pick-up circuit for the other indicator relay including a reverse contact of said polar relay, a stick circuit for said other indicator relay including a normal contact of said polar relay, and indicators for said track sections controlled by said indicator relays.

6.111 combination, three sections of railway track, a track circuit including a track relay for each section, a directional relay, means for energizing said directional relay when either the first or the third track relay is closed, a stick circuit for said directional relay closed only when the second and third track relays are open and trafiic is established for train movements from the third. section toward the first, a polar relay,

means for energizing said polar relay in normal or reverse direction according as said first or third track relay is open, provided said directional relay is closed and for energizing the polar relay in reverse direction when the directional relay is open,

the third indicator relay including a normal contact of the polar relay and a front contact of the second indicator relay, and indicating means for the sections controlled by said indicator relays.

In tstimon ture.

y whereof I afiix my signa- EARL M. ALLEN. 

